- Reports 2008 quarterly net revenue of $214 million, an 8.4% increase over second quarter 2007, and 6.6% excluding acquisitions - Reports 2008 quarterly earnings per diluted share of $0.09; impacted by ingredient and energy cost pressures and temporary inefficiencies related to plant consolidation
CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lance, Inc.
(Nasdaq: LNCE) today reported net revenue for the second quarter ended June
28, 2008 of $213.6 million, an increase of 8.4% over the prior year second
quarter net revenue of $197.0 million. Excluding revenue from the March 2008
acquisition of premium cookie manufacturer Brent & Sam's, net revenue for the
second quarter increased 6.6% over the prior year second quarter.
The Company's branded product sales, which represented 63% of total sales
in the quarter, grew 6%, driven by higher selling prices, continued strong
volume growth in Lance branded home-pack sandwich crackers and Cape Cod
branded potato chips, and incremental branded sales from the Brent & Sam's
acquisition, which added approximately 1%. Quarterly sales gains were
partially offset by the continued planned decline in certain trade channels
and product lines that the Company has deemphasized as part of its focused
growth strategy.
The Company's non-branded product sales, which represented 37% of total
sales in the quarter, increased approximately 12% from the prior year, driven
by higher selling prices, continued volume growth from existing private brand
customers, new product introductions and incremental private brand sales from
the Brent & Sam's acquisition, which added approximately 4%. These increases
were partially offset by a decline in sales to certain contract manufacturing
customers.
Lance realized second quarter 2008 net income from continuing operations
of $2.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2007
net income from continuing operations of $9.3 million, or $0.30 per diluted
share.
Net income in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter
of 2007 was adversely impacted by an approximate $18 million pre-tax increase
in the cost of ingredients and higher energy costs of approximately $3
million. The Company increased prices to its customers during the first and
second quarters of 2008 in an effort to offset rising ingredient costs;
however, the timing and amount of these price increases was not sufficient to
offset the increased ingredient and energy costs, resulting in a decline in
operating profit during both the first and second quarters of 2008. In
addition, during the second quarter the Company incurred incremental expenses
related to operational inefficiencies from the consolidation of its Canadian
manufacturing facilities. The Company expects these operational
inefficiencies to be eliminated during the third quarter of 2008.
Net revenue from continuing operations for the six months ended June 28,
2008 was $411.6 million, an increase of approximately 9% compared with the
same period in the prior year, and 7% excluding the impact of the Brent &
Sam's acquisition. For the first six months of 2008, net income from
continuing operations was $3.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared
to net income from continuing operations of $15.1 million, or $0.49 per
diluted share, in the first six months of the prior year.
Comments from Management
"We anticipated our ingredient costs to be higher in the second quarter,
therefore we implemented price increases," commented David V. Singer,
President and Chief Executive Officer. "However, our costs for ingredients
and energy escalated beyond our expectations; therefore our price increases
were not sufficient to restore our profit margins. We are in the process of
taking additional pricing actions during the third quarter which will restore
our profit margins once these new prices are implemented."
Mr. Singer continued, "In addition to pressure from input costs during the
quarter, we experienced higher than expected costs associated with the
consolidation of our Canadian sugar wafer facilities. The consolidation of
our facilities from three locations to two required the relocation and setup
of multiple manufacturing lines across both remaining locations. The
consolidation resulted in some anticipated one-time costs; however initial
productivity of the consolidated operation has not met our expectations,
resulting in unanticipated additional costs. We are aggressively addressing
the issues and are confident that we will have the process running smoothly
during the third quarter."
Mr. Singer added, "We continued to drive improvements with our supply
chain and DSD efficiency initiatives during the quarter. We drove lower
shipping costs, excluding rising fuel costs, with the realignment of our
internal and external freight networks, and we increased the leverage of our
DSD system with higher sales per route. We are confident our planned price
increases during the second half will fully offset the level of ingredient and
energy costs we are experiencing as we move through the balance of 2008. Once
these costs have been offset, we believe that continued top line growth
combined with progress on our cost initiatives will put us back on the path of
widening margins that we had established prior to the escalation of ingredient
and energy costs."
Company Revises Revenue and EPS Estimates for 2008
The Company anticipates that the pricing actions it plans to implement
during the second half of 2008 will fully restore its operating profit margins
by the fourth quarter of 2008. However, until those price increases are fully
implemented, it expects that earnings will continue to be negatively impacted.
Based on this, the Company has lowered its 2008 full year earnings per diluted
share estimate to a range of $0.62 to $0.70. Based on its assessment of the
current sales volume trends and anticipated pricing actions for the remainder
of the year, the Company raised its 2008 full year net sales estimate to a
range of $830 to $850 million. The Company also revised its capital
expenditure guidance to approximately $40 to $42 million for the year.
On April 25, 2008, the Company provided a full year net sales estimate
range of $805 to $835 million, an earnings per diluted share range of $0.70 to
$0.80, and a capital expenditure range of $45 to $50 million.
Dividend Declared
The Company also announced the declaration of a regular quarterly cash
dividend of $0.16 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend is
payable on August 20, 2008 to stockholders of record at the close of business
on August 11, 2008.
Conference Call
Lance, Inc. has scheduled a conference call and presentation with
investors at 9:00 am eastern time on Friday, July 25, 2008 to discuss second
quarter financial results. To participate in the conference call, the dial-in
number is (800) 789-3681 for U.S. callers, or (706) 634-1425 for international
callers. The access code is "LANCE." A continuous telephone replay of the
call will be available beginning at 12:00 pm on July 25, 2008 and running
through August 1st at midnight. The replay telephone number is (800) 642-1687
for U.S. callers, or (706) 645-9291 for international callers. The replay
access code is 54349374. Investors may also access a web-based replay of the
conference call at Lance's web site, www.lance.com.
The conference call and accompanying slide presentation will be webcast
live through the Investor Relations section of Lance Inc.'s website
www.lance.com. In addition, the slide presentation will be available to
download and print approximately 30 minutes before the webcast at Lance's
Investor Relations home page.
About Lance, Inc.
Lance, Inc., headquartered in Charlotte, NC, manufactures and markets
snack foods throughout much of the United States and other parts of North
America. The Company's products include sandwich crackers and cookies, potato
chips, crackers, cookies, other snacks, sugar wafers, nuts, restaurant style
crackers and candy. Lance has manufacturing facilities in North Carolina,
Iowa, Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, Arkansas and Ontario, Canada.
Products are sold under the Lance, Cape Cod, Tom's and Brent & Sam's brand
names along with a number of private label and third party brands. The
Company's products are distributed through a direct-store-delivery system of
approximately 1,400 sales routes, a network of independent distributors and
direct shipments to customer locations. Products are distributed widely
through grocery and mass merchant stores, convenience stores, food service
outlets and other channels.
This news release contains statements which may be forward looking within
the meaning of applicable securities laws. The statements may include
projections regarding future earnings and results which are based upon the
Company's current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to a number
of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ, including price competition and industry consolidation, increases in
prices or availability of ingredients, product price increases impact on total
revenue, risks from large customers, changes in consumer preferences,
implementation of a new information system, product recalls or safety
concerns, food industry and regulatory factors, acquisition and divestiture
risks, ability to execute strategic initiatives, interest rate, foreign
exchange rate and credit risks and natural disasters or catastrophic events
are discussed in the Company's most recent Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
LANCE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except share and per-share amounts)
(unaudited)
Quarter Ended
June 28, 2008 June 30, 2007
Net sales $213,614$197,036
Cost of sales133,691 109,435
Gross margin 79,923 87,601
Selling, general and administrative 74,568 71,467
Other expense, net 161 973
Income from continuing operations 5,194 15,161
before interest and taxes
Interest expense, net860 615
Income tax expense 1,626 5,277
Net income from continuing operations $ 2,708$ 9,269
Loss from discontinued operations -(346)
Income tax benefit -(129)
Net loss from discontinued operations -(217)
Net Income $ 2,708$ 9,052
Basic earnings/(loss) per share:
From continuing operations $ 0.09$ 0.30
From discontinued operations - (0.01)
Basic earnings per share$ 0.09$ 0.29
Weighted average shares outstanding
- basic 31,181,000 30,927,000
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share:
From continuing operations $ 0.09$ 0.30
From discontinued operations - (0.01)
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.09$ 0.29
Weighted average shares outstanding
- diluted31,807,000 31,414,000
LANCE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except share and per-share amounts)
(unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 28, 2008 June 30, 2007
Net sales $411,582$379,463
Cost of sales257,152 212,412
Gross margin 154,430 167,051
Selling, general and administrative 147,425 141,082
Other expense, net 157 884
Income from continuing operations 6,848 25,085
before interest and taxes
Interest expense, net 1,465 1,219
Income tax expense 2,030 8,725
Net income from continuing operations $ 3,353$ 15,141
Income from discontinued operations- 190
Income tax expense - 69
Net income from discontinued operations- 121
Net Income $ 3,353$ 15,262
Basic earnings per share:
From continuing operations $ 0.11$ 0.49
From discontinued operations - -
Basic earnings per share$ 0.11$ 0.49
Weighted average shares outstanding
- basic 31,142,000 30,866,000
Diluted earnings per share:
From continuing operations $ 0.11$ 0.49
From discontinued operations - -
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.11$ 0.49
Weighted average shares outstanding
- diluted31,701,000 31,308,000
LANCE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
June 28, 2008 December 29, 2007
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,086$ 8,647
Accounts receivable, net 77,127 64,081
Inventories 45,048 38,659
Other current assets 24,599 21,702
Total Current Assets 147,860 133,089
Fixed assets, net211,879 205,075
Goodwill and other intangibles, net 87,549 69,127
Other noncurrent assets6,058 5,712
Total Assets $453,346$413,003
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Accounts payable$ 29,030 21,169
Short term debt 13,958 -
Other current liabilities 53,379 53,468
Total Current Liabilities 96,367 74,637
Long-term debt74,000 50,000
Other liabilities 40,519 41,269
Stockholders' equity 242,460 247,097
Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
Equity $453,346$413,003
LANCE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 28, 2008 June 30, 2007
Operating Activities:
Net income $ 3,353 $15,262
Depreciation and amortization 16,10514,461
Stock-based compensation expense 2,170 1,767
Loss on sale of fixed assets 195 518
Changes in other operating assets
and liabilities (11,503) (3,057)
Net cash from operating activities 10,32028,951
Investing Activities:
Purchases of fixed assets (21,603) (22,608)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 321 3,319
Business acquisition, net of cash
acquired (23,931)-
Purchase of investment -(2,090)
Net cash used in investing
activities(45,213) (21,379)
Financing Activities:
Dividends paid (10,044) (9,900)
Issuances of common stock1,641 2,769
Proceeds from debt 38,014 -
Repayments of acquired debt from
acquisition(2,239)-
Net cash from/(used in) financing
activities 27,372(7,131)
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash (40) 87
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents(7,561) 528
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 8,647 5,504
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period$ 1,086 $ 6,032
SOURCE Lance, Inc.
